Letter to the editor: This could be LeBron’s year
· The Washington TimesOPINION:
For the first time in the history of ESPN’s annual NBA ranking, LeBron James is no longer considered a top-10 player entering the season. He is now, just a few months shy of his 42nd birthday, ranked as the 18th best player in the NBA.
After signing with Philadelphia and swallowing a humiliating 92% pay cut, Mr. James has been excoriated by the media, former NBA players aligned with Michael Jordan and know-it-all podcasters. He has remained uncharacteristically silent amidst all the noisy criticism and ridicule.
In fact, his only response has been to release videos of him ferociously working out, getting his aging body into optimum physical condition.
Judging by his intense workouts, Mr. James is not telegraphing that he’s going to coast this year and be the fourth option on this team. He’s signaling that he’s going to be ready to dominate as a top-three player in the league once again, if the situation dictates.
I fully expect LeBron James to make this a “statement” year of his career and, at the age of 42, elevate his game into the league MVP conversation. No one wants this more than Mr. James himself, who is not only competing against contemporaries like Jalen Brunson, Victor Wembanyama and the “Greek Freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo, but also (and perhaps more significantly) the ghost of Michael Jordan for the coveted “GOAT” title.
Imagine what winning the league MVP at the age of 42 and leading the 76ers to the NBA title would do to intensify a debate that has already set social media afire.
EUGENE R. DUNN
Glen Burnie, Maryland
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